JP4662223B2 - Gas-liquid centrifuge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas-liquid centrifuge for completely separating moisture without entraining gas in outer space.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 3 is a principle diagram of a polymer polymer fuel cell (PEFC). This fuel cell has a structure in which a polymer membrane T having proton (H ⁺ ) conductivity is used as an electrolyte, and thin porous Pt catalyst electrodes (anode A and cathode C) are attached to both sides of the membrane. Supplying H ₂ and O ₂ to the respective electrodes, operating at around room temperature to 100 ° C., H ₂ is oxidized to H ⁺ with H _2-pole (anode A), H ⁺ is moved to the film O It reaches the _second pole (cathode C). On the other hand, e ⁻ reaches the O ₂ pole after performing electrical work through an external circuit. At the O ₂ electrode, O ₂ reacts with the reached H ⁺ and e ⁻ and is reduced to H ₂ O. In the fuel cell described above, water vapor is supplied to protect the polymer membrane T, and at the cathode C, water vapor is formed as a reaction product.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a fuel cell is used in a space station, etc., the fuel cell is used in a time zone where sunlight is not available, and conversely, in a time zone where sunlight is available, water vapor is electrolyzed with electric power from the solar cell, etc. It is being considered to return to ₂ and O ₂ for reuse. In this case, it is necessary to separate the water droplets from the gas containing water droplets coming out from the anode A and the cathode C of the fuel cell.
[0004]
Conventionally, batch centrifuges are used on the ground for such steam separation. In such a batch centrifuge, a fluid (gas-liquid mixed fluid) that requires separation is placed in a container, and the container is mounted on a rotating table and rotated at a high speed to cause centrifugal force to act on the fluid. Move the heavy mass material (liquid) to the part away from the center of the turntable, and conversely move the light mass material (gas) to the vicinity of the rotation center, and then stop the rotation to obtain the separated material from the container is there.
[0005]
However, such a batch centrifuge has the following problems.
(1) It cannot be continuously separated.
(2) When the object to be separated is a mixed gas of liquid and gas, it is separated into a liquid and a gas during centrifugation, but once stopped, the gas melts in the liquid and cannot be completely separated.
[0006]
Moreover, as an apparatus which performs centrifugation continuously, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, (A) cylindrical centrifugal sedimentation separator, (B) decanter centrifugal sedimentation separator, (C) separation plate centrifugal sedimentation Machines, (D) centrifugal filters, and the like are known.
However, these continuous centrifuges are suitable for separating solids in a liquid, etc., but when applied to water droplet separation from a gas-liquid mixed fluid, when the liquid is small, the gas is contained together with the liquid. If the gas is accompanied and the amount of gas is small, there is a possibility that the liquid is accompanied by the gas.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, the object of the present invention is that it can be used in a space where the attitude changes rapidly, the gas entrained in the liquid is minimized, and the liquid entrained in the gas is also minimized. The object is to provide a liquid centrifuge.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, it is provided with a disk-shaped rotor (12) that is driven to rotate at high speed about the axis Z, and a housing (14) that surrounds the rotor with a space therebetween, and the rotor (12) includes: A hollow disc-shaped central cavity (12a) provided in a central portion including the shaft center Z, and a center supply hole for supplying a gas-liquid mixed fluid extending from the outer surface along the shaft center Z to the central cavity ( 12b), an exhaust passage (12c) for exhausting gas from the outer surface to the central cavity at a position spaced radially from the axis Z, and a radial outer edge of the central cavity and an outer edge of the rotor A drainage flow path (13) for discharging liquid, and the drainage flow path (13) has an inner end that communicates with a radially outer edge of the central cavity and extends radially outward. A channel (13a) and an outer channel whose outer end communicates with the outer edge of the rotor and extends radially inward 13b), and an intermediate flow path (13c) in which the inner flow path and the outer flow path are communicated and the connection point A between the inner flow path and the outer flow path is provided radially outward. Thus, there is provided a gas-liquid centrifugal separator characterized by constituting a trap mechanism (4) for holding the liquid in the intermediate flow path by centrifugal force.
[0009]
According to the configuration of the present invention, the disk-shaped rotor (12) is driven to rotate at high speed around the axis Z and the liquid is centrifuged by the centrifugal force. Can be used.
[0010]
Further, the intermediate channel (13c) communicates the inner channel (13a) and the outer channel (13b), and the connection point A with the inner channel is radially outward from the connection point B with the outer channel. Thus, the trap mechanism (4) for holding the liquid in the intermediate flow path (13c) by centrifugal force is configured. That is, when the liquid (droplet) contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid to be centrifuged is small, the liquid remaining in the intermediate flow path (13c) is urged toward the connection point A radially outward by the centrifugal force. Therefore, the vicinity of the connection point A between the inner flow path (13a) and the intermediate flow path (13c) is always filled with liquid, and gas is entrained on the liquid side through the drainage flow path (13). Seal. Therefore, the gas entrained in the liquid can be minimized.
[0011]
Furthermore, when there are many liquids (droplets) contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid, a strong centrifugal force acts on the liquid filling the inner flow path (13a), so that this pressure becomes higher than the pressure at the connection point A. In addition, by setting the rotational speed of the rotor (12) in advance, the liquid can be smoothly discharged through the intermediate flow path (13c) and the outer flow path (13b) with almost no liquid accumulated inside. . Therefore, the liquid entrained in the gas can be minimized.
[0012]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of internal fins (6) having an outer end fixed to a radially outer edge of the central cavity (12a), extending radially inward and partitioning the central cavity in the circumferential direction. Have
With this configuration, the plurality of internal fins (6) rotate at high speed around the axis Z, so that the gas-liquid mixed fluid in the central cavity (12a) can be rotated at high speed around the axis Z, and the centrifugal The liquid can be separated from the gas efficiently by moving the liquid outward by force.
[0013]
The exhaust passage (12c) is closed, and a gas permeable membrane (9) that captures droplets and allows only gas to pass is provided.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the droplets being centrifuged from being entrained on the gas side through the exhaust passage (12c).
[0014]
Furthermore, the rotor (12) has a pair of disk-shaped flanges (7) projecting radially outward across the outer flow path (13b) at the outer edge thereof, and the housing (14) It has a pair of recesses (14a) surrounding the disc-shaped collar part (7) with a space therebetween, thereby constituting a seal mechanism for holding the liquid between the collar part and the recess by centrifugal force.
With this configuration, the liquid and gas discharged from the rotor (12) can be sealed with the liquid itself to prevent mixing between them.
[0015]
The rotor (12) preferably has a plurality of external fins (15) extending radially outward between the pair of disc-shaped flanges (7).
With this configuration, centrifugal force can be applied to the liquid positioned between the outer edge of the rotor (12) and the housing (14), and the liquid is stabilized between the flange (7) and the recess (14a). The sealing performance can be enhanced.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid centrifuge of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas-liquid centrifugal separator 10 of the present invention includes a disk-shaped rotor 12 that is driven to rotate at high speed around an axis Z, and a housing 14 that surrounds the rotor 12 with a space therebetween. With. The rotor 12 is rotationally driven at high speed by the electric motor 1 around an axis Z that is a vertical axis in this example.
Note that the axis Z is not limited to the vertical direction and may be in any direction because it is assumed to be used in outer space where the posture changes rapidly. Further, the rotational speed of the rotor 12 is a speed at which the liquid can be smoothly separated and discharged (for example, 3000 rpm or more), even when there are many liquids (droplets) contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid, the liquid hardly accumulates inside. ).
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the rotor 12 includes a hollow disc-shaped central cavity 12 a, a center supply hole 12 b, an exhaust passage 12 c, and a drainage passage 13.
The hollow disc-shaped central cavity portion 12 a is provided in a central portion including the axis Z. The center supply hole 12b extends from the outer surface along the axis Z to the central cavity 12a, and supplies the gas-liquid mixed fluid to the central cavity 12a from the inflow pipe 5 penetrating the housing 14. In this example, the inflow pipe 5 is inserted into the center supply hole 12b with a slight gap.
The exhaust passage 12c extends from the outer surface to the central cavity portion 12a at a position spaced apart from the axis Z in the radial direction, and exhausts the gas to the space between the housing 14. Further, the housing 14 is provided with a gas extraction pipe 3 so that the gas between the rotor 12 and the housing 14 is extracted to the outside.
Further, the exhaust passage 12c is provided with a gas permeable membrane 9 through which only gas passes to prevent the passage of droplets. This gas permeable membrane 9 has a through-hole having a size that allows gas molecules such as hydrogen and oxygen to pass therethrough and particles larger than gas molecules such as droplets cannot pass through. It has a function to pass through.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the drainage flow path 13 includes a plurality of pairs of inner flow paths 13 a, outer flow paths 13 b, and intermediate flow paths 13 c that are in communication with each other. And has a function of discharging the liquid.
The inner flow path 13a has an inner end communicating with a radially outer edge of the central cavity portion 12a, extends radially outward, and the outer end is closed at a connection point A. The outer flow path 13b communicates with the outer edge of the rotor 12 at the outer end, extends inward in the radial direction, and is closed at the connection point B on the inner side. Further, the intermediate flow path 13c communicates the inner flow path 13a and the outer flow path 13b, and the connection point A with the inner flow path is provided radially outward from the connection point B with the outer flow path. That is, the trap mechanism 4 is provided in the intermediate flow path 13c so as to hold the liquid by centrifugal force.
[0020]
In this example, the trap mechanism 4 is formed in a Z shape with three straight flow paths. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is free as long as the liquid is trapped by a centrifugal force in the middle. It can be formed in a simple flow path. For example, it may be formed in an S shape with three curved flow paths.
[0021]
In addition, a plurality of internal fins 6 are provided to rotate the gas-liquid mixed fluid in the central cavity portion 12a around the axis Z at a high speed. The inner fin 6 has an outer end fixed to the outer edge in the radial direction of the central cavity 12a, extends inward in the radial direction, and partitions the central cavity in the circumferential direction.
[0022]
In order to seal between the liquid discharged from the rotor 12 and the gas with the liquid itself, as shown in FIG. 1, the rotor 12 protrudes radially outward with an outer flow path 13b sandwiched between its outer edges. It has a pair of disk-shaped collars 7. The housing 14 has a pair of recesses 14a surrounding the disc-shaped flange 7 with a space therebetween, thereby constituting a seal mechanism that holds the liquid between the flange 7 and the recess 14a by centrifugal force. It is like that.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to apply centrifugal force to the liquid located between the outer edge of the rotor 12 and the housing 14, the rotor 12 has a radius between a pair of disk-shaped flanges 7. It has a plurality of external fins 15 extending outward in the direction.
[0024]
Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described gas-liquid centrifuge 10 of the present invention will be described.
In FIG. 2, the inside of the trap 4 is open to the central cavity 12 a in the rotor 12. The trap 4 faces outward from the inner opening, but does not open directly to the outer periphery, but is folded back inward in a Z shape at point A, and is folded back to the outer periphery at point B. Reference numeral 5 denotes an inlet pipe for a mixed gas of liquid and gas, which is located at the center of rotation. The inflowing mixed gas (gas-liquid mixed fluid) is guided by the internal fins 6 provided in the rotor 12 and is subjected to centrifugal force. As for the mixed gas, the liquid with a large mass is separated and moved to the center of rotation by the centrifugal force when the liquid has a large mass and outside the central cavity 12a. The liquid flows into the trap from the trap hole (inner flow path 13a) at the outer edge of the central cavity 12a, reaches the point A, and accumulates. As the liquid accumulates and a greater centrifugal force is applied, the liquid is pushed out through point B. The extruded liquid is rotated into the spiral chamber constituted by the rotor 12 and the housing 14 by the external fins 15 provided on the outer edge, and is pushed to the outermost edge portion of the spiral chamber by centrifugal force and collected at the outermost edge portion. When the liquid retention amount increases, the liquid comes out of the housing through the liquid outlet 8.
On the other hand, the gas that has moved to the center of rotation passes through the gas permeable membrane 9 and exits from the gas extraction pipe 3 to the outside of the housing. Here, the gas that has passed through the gas permeable membrane 9 does not flow into the spiral chamber due to water accumulated in the outermost edge of the spiral chamber.
[0025]
According to the configuration of the present invention described above, the disk-like rotor 12 is driven to rotate at high speed around the axis Z, and the liquid is centrifuged by the centrifugal force. Can be used.
[0026]
Further, the intermediate flow path 13c communicates the inner flow path 13a and the outer flow path 13b, and the connection point A with the inner flow path is provided radially outward from the connection point B with the outer flow path. Thus, the trap mechanism 4 that holds the liquid in the intermediate flow path 13c by centrifugal force is configured. That is, when the liquid (droplet) contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid to be centrifuged is small, the liquid remaining in the intermediate flow path 13c is urged toward the connection point A radially outward by the centrifugal force. The vicinity of the connection point A between the inner flow path 13a and the intermediate flow path 13c is always filled with liquid, and seals that gas is entrained on the liquid side through the drainage flow path 13. Therefore, the gas entrained in the liquid can be minimized.
[0027]
Furthermore, when there are many liquids (droplets) contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid, a strong centrifugal force acts on the liquid filling the inner flow path 13a, so that this pressure is higher than the pressure at the connection point A. By setting the rotation speed of the rotor 12 in advance, the liquid can be smoothly discharged through the intermediate flow path 13c and the outer flow path 13b without almost collecting the liquid inside. Therefore, the liquid entrained in the gas can be minimized.
[0028]
In addition, by configuring a sealing mechanism that holds the liquid with centrifugal force between the flange portion 7 and the concave portion 14a, the liquid and the gas discharged from the rotor 12 are sealed with the liquid itself, Mixing can be prevented.
[0029]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example and embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention is provided with a passage (drainage flow path 13) that allows liquid to pass from the inside to the outside of the rotor at a position far from the rotation center of the disk-shaped rotor 12 that rotates at high speed. One of the drainage channels 13 opens into the rotor and is provided outside the rotor, but does not open directly outside the rotor, and is folded back into a Z shape (point A) toward the inside of the rotor. However, the inner side of the rotor is not opened, but it is turned back halfway (point B).
[0031]
With this configuration, the liquid / gas mixed gas is moved to the center of rotation by moving the light gas and the liquid having a large mass outside by centrifugation. The liquid is always filled up to the return of point A of the trap 4. When the retention of the liquid increases and a large centrifugal force is applied to the liquid, the liquid passes through point A and is discharged outside. Therefore, the trap portion is always kept sealed by the liquid, and the gas is separated. The gas is taken out from a gas discharge port provided at the center of rotation. Therefore, it is possible to continuously separate liquid and gas.
[0032]
Therefore, the gas-liquid centrifuge of the present invention can be used in a space where the attitude changes rapidly, minimizing the gas entrained in the liquid and minimizing the liquid entrained in the gas. And so on.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid centrifuge of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a principle diagram of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conventional continuous centrifuge.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 electric motor, 3 gas extraction pipe, 4 trap mechanism,
5 Inlet pipe, 6 Internal fin, 7 Disc-shaped buttocks,
8 Liquid outlet, 9 Gas permeable membrane, 10 Gas liquid centrifuge,
12 rotor, 12a central cavity, 12b center supply hole,
12c exhaust passage, 13 drainage flow path, 13a inner flow path,
13b outer channel, 13c intermediate channel, 14 housing,
14a recess, 15 external fin

Claims (5)

A disk-shaped rotor (12) that is driven to rotate at high speed about an axis Z, and a housing (14) that surrounds the rotor at an interval;
The rotor (12) is a hollow disc-shaped central cavity (12a) provided in the central portion including the shaft center Z, and supplies a gas-liquid mixed fluid extending from the outer surface along the shaft Z to the central cavity. A central supply hole (12b), an exhaust passage (12c) for exhausting gas extending from the outer surface to the central cavity at a position spaced from the axis Z in the radial direction, and a radial direction of the central cavity A drainage flow path (13) for discharging the liquid through the outer edge and the outer edge of the rotor;
The drainage channel (13) has an inner channel (13a) whose inner end communicates with the radial outer edge of the central cavity and extends radially outward, and an outer end communicates with the outer edge of the rotor in the radial inner direction. An intermediate flow in which the outer flow path (13b) extending to the inner flow path is connected to the inner flow path and the outer flow path, and the connection point A between the inner flow path and the outer flow path is provided radially outward. A gas-liquid centrifugal separator comprising a passage (13c), thereby constituting a trap mechanism (4) for holding liquid in the intermediate flow path by centrifugal force. The outer end is fixed to the radially outer edge of the central cavity (12a), and has a plurality of internal fins (6) extending radially inward and partitioning the central cavity in the circumferential direction. The gas-liquid centrifuge according to 1. The gas-liquid centrifuge according to claim 1, further comprising a gas permeable membrane (9) that closes the exhaust passage (12c), captures liquid droplets, and allows only gas to pass therethrough. The rotor (12) has a pair of disk-shaped flanges (7) projecting radially outward across the outer flow path (13b) at its outer edge, and the housing (14) It has a pair of recesses (14a) surrounding the plate-like collar part (7) with a space therebetween, thereby constituting a seal mechanism for holding liquid between the collar part and the recess by centrifugal force. The gas-liquid centrifuge according to claim 1. 5. The rotor (12) according to claim 4, wherein the rotor (12) has a plurality of external fins (15) extending radially outwardly between the pair of disc-shaped flanges (7). Gas-liquid centrifuge.

Images